Are E-Cigarettes Better for You Than Cigarettes?

Since their release, the popularity of e-cigarettes has exploded as many smokers turn to the devices to help them kick their smoking habit. However, many expertes believe that the e-cigarette doesn't help them kick the habit and only worsens their dependence on the drug while at the same time causing young people to become addicted to nicotine as well as they experiment with these new, interesting devices.

Tobacco kills almost 6 million people each year according to the World Health Organization. Now, with the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, more and more people are turning to the devices creating an industry that is now worth an estimated $2.7 billion.

Since their introduction in 2006, e-cigarettes have become a common tool used by smokers trying to kick the habit. But critics argue these electronic nicotine delivery systems aren't actually helping smokers quit, but opening up the possibility of new nicotine addiction among young people experimenting with them.

"While ENDS may have the potential to benefit established adult smokers ... [they] should not be used by youth and adult non-tobacco users because of the harmful effects of nicotine and other risk exposures," says Tim McAfee, director the Office on Smoking and Health at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Exposure to nicotine can harm adolescent brain development."

Studies conducted by the CDC have revealed that there is an increase of experimentation by youth trying out e-cigarettes but not conventional cigarettes. The reason is suggested that the devices, with their unique flavors and gadgetry, offer a more attractive means of experimentation by teens that could ultimately lead them to regular tobacoo smoking.

But others in the field of tobacco control disagree, stating that whilst people -- including youth -- may have tried e-cigarettes, the evidence is lacking for their regular use. "Kids like new technology and just experiment or use it once or twice," says Jean-Francois Etter, professor of Public Health at the University of Geneva.

Etter has been researching the use of e-cigarettes since 2009 and believes they are still far safer than regular cigarettes. "The most dangerous way of consuming nicotine is to smoke it," he says. Etter does say that the use by young people should be moderated but believes, "They are a gateway out of smoking," and not the other way around.

"Nicotine withdrawal is a very unpleasant process," says Linda Bauld, professor of Health Policy at the University of Stirling, whose recent report for Public Health England identified an extensive and growing market for e-cigarettes worldwide. "The vast number of people using e-cigarettes are using them to stop smoking; [they're] about 60% more effective than going cold turkey or buying nicotine replacement therapy over the counter."

The growing fear, however, is the increasing domination of big tobacco in the e-cigarette market, which was original seen as a competitor. "The intent of big tobacco is to sell their product," concludes Armand Peruga, program manager for the WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative. "[They may] expand their market to other customers who didn't use cigarettes but might consider nicotine use."